Tigania West residents protest poor roads; demand govt action
Police in Tigania West had a hard time detaching protesters who were protesting against the bad state of Kianjai – Miathene – Mikinduri 15 kilometres road.
“We were told this road was going to last for a long time without needing major repairs but the potholes have been here for years. We want the government through our MP to repair it,” said a resident.
The residents blocked several roads, including the Meru – Maua highway and Kianjai – Mikinduri road, with stones, tree branches, and burned tires.
“We will not relent until the government assures them that the roads will be fixed,” said Muchena wa Kiramana, a resident.
The recent demonstration drew residents who demanded to know why area leaders have been lax to rehabilitate roads in the constituency. They said that due to the state of the said road, their farm produce was delayed in packing centres thus putting at risk the proceeds they look forward to after the hard work on their farms.
In addition, most farmers are counting losses after vehicles and boda bodas failed to ferry their products citing the deplorable state of the road.
Bernard Mutwiri, a motorist, said operators are losing millions of shillings on repairs, he added that only a few vehicles operate on the route. Matatu operators and bodaboda riders said they had to increase their fares as they kept going to the garage. According to them, the ongoing downpour has worsened the situation, as motorists have a hard time navigating through it.
According to Tigania West MP John Mutunga, the road is on the government’s plan under the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERA) urging the residents to keep calm and the road will be maintained when the rain reduces and the contractor will be on the site.